AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FST COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

摘要

For aerospace, rail, and other mass transportation industries, the need for lighter weight materials that meet flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) requirements is important for vehicular interior components. Lightweight materials with high strength and stiffness are sought for their resultant reduction in fuel requirements, but low cost of these materials has become more important than weight as fuel costs are down and initial purchase price has higher consideration. FST capability is available in only a handful of composite materials, and the need for reduced part price has increased emphasis on lower cost material availability and process cost reduction. Flexfab has recently completed an extensive investigation into the product and process development of lower cost FST composite materials for transportation applications. Emphasis has been placed on the use of thermoplastic matrix composite materials. Detailed comparisons of material properties and costs shall be provided along with descriptions of process cost reductions including attachment methods, and end use performance.